Health officials announced Tuesday that mosquitoes in St. Louis and Jefferson counties have tested positive for the West Nile virus, and a bird with the virus has a been found in St. Clair County, however, there have been no reported human cases of the illness this season in either Missouri or Illinois. This does not mean you should become complacent about the risk. Remember, West Nile virus causes flu-like symptoms that are typically mild, although severe cases can develop.

There has been heightened West Nile virus activity in mosquitoes this summer, which experts attribute to above-average temperatures.Virus-positive mosquitoes were found in Webster Groves, Calverton Park, Castlepoint, Dellwood, Florissant and Mehlville in St. Louis County. In Jefferson County, the mosquitoes were collected last month from Hillsboro, Fenton, Hematite and Byrnesmill

Experts recommend avoiding the outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, wearing insect repellent with DEET and removing all standing water from around the home.